Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Formation of Tidal Creeks in a Salt Marsh: New Evidence from the Loyola Bay Salt Marsh, Rio Gallegos Estuary, Argentina

  • Published:
Mangroves and Salt Marshes

Abstract

A mechanism is proposed for the Formation of tidal creeks in salt marshes which is exemplified by the marshes of the Rio Gallegos estuary, Argentina. It has been observed that salt pans are elongated in the mean wind direction and are likely to extend by wave erosion of the surrounding marshes. Interconnection between the pans leads to growth and interaction with existing creeks and channels. Tidal exchange of the waters then promotes further erosion, or subsequently to filling in by the introduced suspended sediment. This mechanism contrasts with headward erosion by existing creeks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, J.R.L. 1984. Sedimentary structures: Their character and physical basis. Volume II. pp. 663. Elsevier Science Publications, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amos, C.L. 1995. Siliciclastic tidal flats. pp. 273–306. In: Perillo, G.M.E. (ed), Geomorphology and sedimentology of estuaries. Elsevier Science Publications, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayliss-Smith, T.P., Healey, R., Lailey, R., Spencer, T. & Stoddart, D.R. 1979. Tidal flows in saltmarsh creeks. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 9:235–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, V.J. 1960. Salt marshes and salt deserts of the World. pp. 392. Leonard Hill, London:.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVries Klein, G. 1985. Intertidal flats and intertidal sand bodies. pp. 187–224. In: Davis, R.A. (ed), Coastal sedimentary environments. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, R.W. & Basan, P.B. 1985. Coastal salt marshes. pp. 225–303. In: Davis, R.A. (ed), Coastal sedimentary environments. Second edition. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guilcher, A. 1957. Morfologia litoral y submarina. Ediciones Omega, Barcelona.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraeuter, J.N. & Wetzel, R.L. 1986. Surface sediment stabilisation-destabilisation and suspended sediment cycles on an intertidal mudflat. pp. 203–223. In: Wolfe, D.A. (ed), Estuarine Variability. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luternauer, J.L., Atkins, R.J., Moody, A.I., Williams, H.F.L., & Gibson, J.W. 1995. Salt marshes. pp. 307–332. In: Perillo, G.M.E. (ed), Geomorphology and sedimentology of estuaries. Elsevier Science Publications, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pastor, J.M. & Bonilla, J., 1966. Estudio para la formulación del plan de desarrollo fisico de la ciudad de Río Gallegos. pp. 27–51. In: Municipalidad de Río Gallegos (ed), Bases para el Desarrollo, vol 2A, Rio Gallegos.

  • Pethick, J.S. 1969. Drainage in tidal marshes. pp. 725–730. In: Steers, J.A. (ed), The coastline of England and Wales. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pethick, J.S. 1986. An introduction to coastal geomorphology. Edward Arnold, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pethick, J.S. 1992. Saltmarsh geomorphology. pp. 41–62. In: Allen, J.R.L. & Pye, K. (eds), Saltmarshes: morphodynamics, conservation and engineering significance. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pino, M. 1995. Structural estuaries, pp. 227–239. In: Perillo, G.M.E. (ed), Geomorphology and sedimentology of estuaries. Elsevier Science Publications, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pye, K. 1992. Saltmarshes on the barrier coastline of North Norfolk, eastern England. pp. 148–181. In: Allen, J.R.L. & Pye, K. (eds), Saltmarshes: morphodynamics, conservation and engineering significance. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J.T., Adams, C.E.Jr., Park, Y-A. & Frankenberg, E.W. 1990. Morphology, sedimentology and tidal channel processes on a high-tide-range mudflat, west coast of South Korea. Marine Geology 95:111–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zedler, J.B. & Beare, P.A. 1986. Temporal variability of saltmarsh vegetation: The role of low salinity gaps and environmental stress. pp. 295–306. In: Wolfe, D.A. (ed). Estuarine variability. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografia, Av. Alem 53, 8000, Bahia Blanca, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Gerardo M. E. Perillo & M. Cintia Piccolo

  2. Departamento de Geologia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, 8000, Bahia Blanca, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Gerardo M. E. Perillo

  3. Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom

    Mark D. Ripley & Keith R. Dyer

  4. Departamento de Geografia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 12 de Octubre y San Juan, 8000, Bahia Blanca, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    M. Cintia Piccolo

Authors
  1. Gerardo M. E. Perillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark D. Ripley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Cintia Piccolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Keith R. Dyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Perillo, G.M.E., Ripley, M.D., Piccolo, M.C. et al. The Formation of Tidal Creeks in a Salt Marsh: New Evidence from the Loyola Bay Salt Marsh, Rio Gallegos Estuary, Argentina. Mangroves and Salt Marshes 1, 37–46 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025942111382

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025942111382

Search

Navigation